Kids Behind The Wheel At Wild Buggy!

Driving is one of those activities that seems so exotic and exciting as a child, but mostly loses its sheen once you’re an adult (stuck in stop-start traffic while driving a manual car springs to mind!)

Wild Buggy Adventure Park is a place where adults can rediscover the fun of driving, while children test their nerve and skills by hooning over rough terrain on a dirt track that features a water obstacle, small hills and breath-taking obstacles.

It’s currently operating in the Melbourne suburb of Heatherton, where the 1km purpose-built track caters to ages 7 to 103 years old (with a minimum height of 100cm).

My 7-year-old daughter was the first to put her hand up when a buggy was ready – no fear there! With a massive grin on her face she popped on the helmet and jumped up into the Wild Buggy – an open-sided 4WD made for two. Her instructor sat in the seat next to her and used the dual controls to accelerate, brake and turn, while she had her own wheel to steer.

It was both exhilarating and slightly nerve-wracking to watch them get airborne over jumps, drive (almost) sideways along a low wall and wobble their way up steps, down bridges and across tyre obstacles. Seeing the delight on her face each time she came passed the viewing platform was incomparable. It’s an experience she’ll never forget!

When it was my turn, I also had an instructor but he didn’t have a wheel on his side of the buggy so it was all up to me. I was tentative at first – it felt so alien compared to driving a normal car – but soon I was fanging it with the best of them. My favourite part was the small hills, where my friendly young instructor gave me the hot tip to floor it as I approached each jump and then take my foot off the accelerator as I was landing. The adrenaline rush was fantastic!

If you’re after an all-weather outdoor activity that can’t be replicated anywhere else, get on your bike and get into a Wild Buggy!